Of Mice and Men
John Steinbeck
Introduction
To read closely and carefully in order to form
judgements of characters
Lennie
He walked heavily,
dragging his feet a
little the way a
bear drags its paws
George
Small and quick…
dark of face with
restless eyes and
sharp, strong
features
First Reading PP3-4
1. What impression of the setting is
created during the opening of the novel?
2. How is the atmosphere changed by the
entry of George and Lennie
Enter George and Lennie
1.
Name three ways in which the appearances of the
men differ
2.
Which two animals is Lennie compared to? What
impression does this create of him?
3.
Look at the characters first interactions on page 5 - 6.
What do you notice about their relationship?
(Challenge yourself for an excellence answer)
4.
Why do you think Lennie keeps the dead mouse?
What does it suggest about his personality?
5.
Look at the way George and Lennie interact on Page
10. What do you think George thinks of Lennie? Why
do you think the two travel together?
Character Contrast:
Use either a mind-map, T-Chart or bullet points to show
3 –8 contrasts between George and Lennie
Introducing Themes:
Dreams
•Goal: To be aware of how the
novel introduces and begins to
explore these key themes
• Starter: What does ‘Theme’ mean?
•
Reading: From ‘George snapped his fingers sharply’ to
‘And then he looked ashamedly at the flames.’
Discussion:
1. What did Lennie do in Weed?
2. Why did he do it?
3. What happened as a consequence?
4. How does this add to our understanding of Lennie?
‘Live off the fatta the lan’
Read until: ‘George
gestured with his spoon.
“What you gonna say
tomorrow when the
boss asks you
questions?”
Dreams are a key theme
in the novel. Steinbeck
is interested in exploring
what dreams mean to
us, and whether they’re
attainable.
S.E.X.Y. Paragraph
• Statement / Explanation / eXample / Your
Thoughts
Dreams are a key theme in ‘Of Mice and Men’.
The most significant dream is ….………………
………………………………. George describes
this as ‘………………….………………………..
……………………………………………………….
This dream is important to the men because
………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………
S.E.X.Y Paragraphs
• Statement / Explanation / eXample / Your Thoughts
Dreams are a key theme in ‘Of Mice and Men’. The
most significant dream is Lennie and George’s
‘dream farm’ George describes the dream of
having, ‘a little house an a couple of acres and a
cow and some pigs…’ where they can ‘Live of the
fatta the lan.’ This dream is important to the men
because it offers them hope of a home with some
stability.
S.E.X.Y Paragraphs
• Statement / Explanation / eXample / Your Thoughts
Dreams are a key theme in ‘Of Mice and Men’. The
most significant dream is Lennie and George’s
‘dream farm’ George describes the dream of
having, ‘a little house an a couple of acres and a
cow and some pigs…’ where they can ‘Live of the
fatta the lan.’ This dream is important to the men
because it offers them hope of a home with some
stability, where they can have some freedom and
an easier life than their present, drifting existence.
S.E.X.Y Paragraphs
• Statement / Explanation / eXample / Your Thoughts
Dreams are a key theme in ‘Of Mice and Men’. The most
significant dream is Lennie and George’s ‘dream farm’
George describes the dream of having, ‘a little house an a
couple of acres and a cow and some pigs…’ where they can
‘Live of the fatta the lan.’ This dream is important to the
men because it offers them hope of a home with some
stability, where they can have some freedom and an easier
life than their present, drifting existence. Additionally, it
offers them some safety, as Lennie would be more easily
managed, if he were kept away from people who didn’t
understand him, such as the girl in Weed.
End of chapter one
• Read the novel until the end of this chapter.
• Prediction Task: What do you think is going to happen to George
and Lennie when they reach the farm?
At the Ranch
•
Goal: To read closely to keep track of who’s who of the minor
characters
•
Starter : ‘A guy on a ranch don’t never listen nor don’t ask no
questions.’ Discussion – what sort of an existence is this?
•
Reading P19 – 25
1. The Boss – what’s he like? The authority figure of the novel – what
sort of authority does he wield?
Reading up to P31 ‘Candy: ‘Know what I think? … Curley’s married a
tart’
1. Curly – What’s his problem?
Minor Characters
• Create either a mind – map or series of
subheadings with bullet points for each of the
following Candy, The Boss, Crooks, Curley,
Curley’s Wife, Slim. Support each point with a
quotation
• You may not be able to add much so far, but
leave room, we’ll add more as we progress
Theme: Violence
What examples of violence, or the threat of
violence have you seen so far?
What seems to be the men’s attitude
towards violence – think about Candy’s
comments.
How does the violence contribute to the
atmosphere?
Slim and Curley’s Wife
• Goal: To be able to identify how Steinbeck manipulates our
judgements of these characters
Candy: ‘Know what I think? … Curley’s married a tart’
• Starter: What is foreshadowing?
• Could this be an example of it? ‘I don’t like this place George.’ This
ain’t no good place. I wanna get outta here.’
• Reading: From, ‘P31 – 36’
• Questions (See next slide)
• Reading ‘P36 – end of chapter.
• SEXY Paragraphs: ‘How does Steinbeck manipulate the reader’s
opinion of Curley’s Wife and Slim.
Curley’s Wife Comprehension
Questions
Regular Questions:
•
What does Candy think of Curley’s wife?
•
What impression is created of Curley’s wife by the
description of her appearance beginning, ‘She had full,
rouged lips …’
•
In what ways is her behaviour a little flirtatious?
•
Why is George so worried about Lennie’s fascination
for Curley’s wife?
Challenging Question (Answer in as much detail as
possible):
•
What do you make of the quotation, ‘I don’t like this
place George.’ This ain’t no good place. I wanna get
outta here.’ after seeing that it follows the introduction
of Curley’s Wife
‘How does Steinbeck manipulate the reader’s
opinion of Curley’s Wife and Slim.
• Statement / Explanation / eXample / Your
Thoughts
Steinbeck manipulates us into thinking Curley’s
wife is ………. He presents her as
………………………………………… We can
see this when she is described as
……………………………………………….
This is significant because ……………….
Homework: Add to
your notes on the
minor characters from
yesterday’s lesson
Lesson Five: Candy’s Dog
To analyse a key moment of the text to explore what it shows
about the theme of loneliness
Starter: Homework
• Be prepared to feedback one additional comment you added
to your character map.
Exploring Slim:
• Read from the start of the chapter until: ‘Well – let him.
He ain’t doing no harm out there.’
Regular Task:
Write a diary entry from Slim’s perspective, about
his conversation with George.
Starter: Dear Diary,
A couple of new guys showed up today – George and
Lennie
Challenging Task:
Rewrite the most important parts of this incident in the first person, narrated
from Slim’s perspective. Be sure to make his thoughts and opinions clear.
Optional starter: I thought it was odd, George and Lennie travelling around
together – most guys don’t seem to give a damn about no one. I asked
George …
Candy’s Dog
•
Reading until: ‘The men looked quickly at the old man. Every
man turned toward him.’
1.
What similarities are there between Lennie and George and
Candy and his dog?
What does this incident suggest about the empathy
(Understanding) of the other characters?
How do you think the men’s attitude towards Candy’s dog has
been influenced by their lonely lifestyle?
Should Candy have shot his own dog, if it had to be put down?
2.
3.
4.
Key quotation for today: ‘I seen the guys that go on the ranches
alone. That ain’t no good. They don’t have no fun. After a long
time they get mean. They get wantin’ to fight all the time.’
Lesson Six: Dreams come true
Goal: To further explore Steinbeck’s exploration of the
theme of dreams.
Starter: This is an excerpt from the poem from which
Steinbeck took his title. What do you make of it?
But, Mousie, thou art no thy lane,
In proving foresight may be vain;
The best-laid schemes o' mice an 'men
Gang aft agley,
An'lea'e us nought but grief an' pain,
For promis'd joy!
Steinbeck’s Women
• Reading from: ‘George shuffled the cards noisily and
dealt them.’ until ‘Andy’s in San Quentin right now on
account of a tart.’
Discussion: What are the men’s attitude towards women
like? What do you think about this? Do you think
Steinbeck might be sexist?
The best laid plans …
Reading until: ‘I ought to have shot that dog myself George. I oughtn’t
a let no stranger shoot my dog.’
Who thinks that the men will attain their dream?
Who’s not really sure one way or the other?
Who’s convinced they won’t?
Conclusion: S.E.X.Y paragraph: How does the dream farm link to the
theme of loneliness?
If you still need sentence starters, look at the sexy paragraphs we
wrote last week, and adapt them to this question.
Lesson Seven: Fight!
Goal: To understand how a key turning point helps
to reveal things about key characters.
Starter: G/W: What have all of the following got in
common?
‘…The way a bear drags its paws.’
‘…snorting like a horse …’
‘…strong as a bull…’
‘…his fist lost in Lennie’s big paw.’
Reading: Until the end of the
chapter
Either
Answer the following questions
1. What starts this conflict?
2. Why does Curley go after Lennie?
3. What makes Lennie fight back?
4. How does Slim react to Lennie’s actions?
5. How does Slim ensure Curley doesn't get
George and Lennie canned?
Turning Point and Character
G/W: Write 4 SEXY paragraphs about what this
turning point shows us about important
characters. Each group member is to select a
different character. Discuss what each person
might write, then each write the paragraph.
Feedback in groups
Feedback to whole class.
George
• Statement / Explanation / eXample / Your Thoughts
The turning point of the fight between Lennie and Curley
reveals some subtle points about George’s character.
The way he allows Lennie to fight back, without
intervening himself, suggests he is sometimes somewhat
reckless in his role of Lennie’s carer. George shouts,
‘Get him Lennie!’, resulting in Curley’s hand being
crushed, and ‘Every bone in his hand [being] bust.’
George's decision to let Lennie fight back himself has
dire consequences. Curley’s punishment is severe at
least, and doesn’t fit his crime. This implies that George,
whilst thinking he is acting in Lennie’s best interests,
sometimes puts Lennie into a position where he is likely
to get in serious trouble. George wishes to look after
Lennie well, but doesn’t always make the right choices.
Lesson Eight: Crooks
•
Goal: To understand the effects loneliness has
had on Crook’s character.
Starter: What do the following words mean?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Relent
Evokes
Corrosive
Vulnerability
Disempowered
Reading: Up to P85
Read the following notes on Crooks
Crooks is a lively, sharp-witted, black stable-hand, who takes his name
from his crooked back. Like most of the characters in the novel, he admits
that he is extremely lonely. When
visits him in his room, his reaction
ReadLennie
the following
reveals this fact. At first, he turns Lennie away, hoping to prove a point that
notes on
Crooks,
if he, as a black man, is not allowed
in white
men’s houses, then whites are
not allowed in his, but his desire taken
for company
from ultimately wins out and he
invites Lennie to sit with him.
‘WWW.sparknotes.com’
Like Curley’s wife, Crooks is
a disempowered
Summarise
the character who turns his
vulnerability into a weapon to attack those who are even weaker. He plays
main points
aim
to George is gone for good.
a cruel game with Lennie, suggesting
to –him
that
Only when Lennie threatens him
physical
Takewith
down
all theviolence does he relent.
Crooks exhibits the corrosive
effects that
loneliness can have on a
important
points
person; his character evokes
as the origins of his cruel behaviour
Insympathy
the least possible
are made evident. Perhaps what Crooks wants more than anything else is
amount
words such as the right to enter
a sense of belonging—to enjoy
simpleof
pleasures
the bunkhouse or to play cards with the other men. This desire would
explain why, even though he has reason to doubt George and Lennie’s talk
about the farm that they want to own, Crooks cannot help but ask if there
might be room for him to come along and hoe in the garden.
Reading: Lennie and Crooks
1.
Stepping into Steinbeck’s shoes. Write a letter from Steinbeck’s
point of view, explaining why he included the character Crooks in
his novel.
Include:
What Crooks is like.
Why he is like that.
How he helps to show the theme of loneliness
Optional Starter:
Dear Dad,
If you want a challenge,
jump to the last bullet
point and aim to write
three paragraphs on it
alone
I wanted to tell you a little more about one of the characters in my new
novel: ‘Crooks.’ Crooks is …
Lesson Nine: Sympathy
Goal: To explore how Steinbeck influences
the reader’s attitude towards characters
Starter: Who do you think said this?
‘Think I don’t like to
talk to somebody
once and a while?’
Do you feel any
sympathy for Curley’s
wife? Why/why not?
Reading: ‘From Candy came in but he was still
embarrassed’ – end of chapter
Complete the following
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
What does Crooks do and say which makes you feel
sympathetic towards him?
What does Crooks say and do to stop you from feeling sympathy
for him?
How does Curley’s Wife feel about her husband? What does
this make you think about her?
What do you think makes Candy stand up to Curley’s Wife?
Why do you think Crooks joins in?
Start with the question
With what does Curley’s Wife threaten Crooks? you find the most
interesting. Aim for
quality and detail –
rather than finishing
every question
Character sympathy
• G/W: In group roles.
• Rank each of the four characters out of 10 for the amount of
sympathy you feel for them after this episode. Give a detailed and
thoughtful justification for each of your rankings
• Group Reporter to share ideas with neighbouring group.
• Feedback
• Homework: S.E.X.Y Paragraph: Explain how The Character of
Curley’s Wife helps to show the corrosive effects of loneliness.
Lesson Ten: The Penultimate
Chapter
• Goal: To appreciate how selected details lead up to a
key event.
• Starter – What happened in Weed? Jot down a few
bullet points about this incident from before Lennie and
George arrived at the Tyler ranch.
Reading until: ‘He looked down on her…’
How has Steinbeck led us up to this event? What warnings
have there been that this would happen?
Find and copy quotations from throughout the book which
have hinted that something terrible was going to happen
between Lennie and Curley’s wife.
MUST: 3 Quotations
Should: 5 Quotations
Could: 7 Quotations
For each one, explain how it
foreshadows (hints at) this
outcome.
Reading: Until the end of the
chapter
Discussion: What next – what should
George do? What would you do?
Write a final prediction of how the book will
finish. Include a reference to the dream
farm.
If you know already, think of an alternate
ending.
Lesson 11: The ending
Goal: To respond thoughtfully to a text
Starter: ‘Hurt’ by Johnny Cash
Reading: The end of the novel.
Feedback
‘Hurt’ by Johnny Cash
What have I become?
My sweetest friend
Everyone I know
Goes away in the end
And you could have it all
My empire of dirt
I will let you down
I will make you hurt
In what ways could these
lyrics have been written
about George and Lennie?
How do they link to the
themes of the novel?
Reading Response
Very brief summary (3 – 5 lines only)
• One specific thing that happened or detail that was mentioned.
• What you thought about it
• Why you thought that
• A second specific thing that happened or detail that was
mentioned.
• What you thought about it
• Why you thought that
• A third specific thing that happened or detail that was
mentioned.
• What you thought about it
• Why you thought that
Lesson Twelve: Key Review
•
Goal: To consolidate your understanding of the aspects of the text you need
to be familiar with, in order to succeed in the exam.
•
Starter: Quotation Quiz – see next slide
What might you be asked to write about in the exam? (See the next slide)
Main Characters/Minor Characters/ Themes/Setting/Turning Points/Techniques
Exemplar Analysis: What are the strengths of this example? Why did it not
achieve Excellence?
Overview: How to keep a record of the most significant aspects of the text?
Teacher modelling.
Complete your overview.
•
Starter: Quiz – Who said each of the following? Answers in books – GO!
1 ‘All right. But don’t try to put nothing over, ’cause you can’t get away with nothing. I
seen wise guys before.’
2 ‘You know how the hands are, they just come in and get their bunk and work a
month, and then they quit and go out alone. Never seem to give a damn about
nobody. It jus’ seems kinda funny a cuckoo like him and a smart little guy like you
travellin’ together.’
3 ‘If you got idears, you ought to come in town with us guys to-morra night.’
4 ‘You’re yella as a frog belly. I don’t care if you’re the best welter in the country. You
come for me, an’ I’ll kick your goddamn head off.’
5 ‘I remember when I was a little kid on my old man’s chicken ranch. Had two brothers.
They was always near me, always there. Used to sleep right in the same room, right
in the same bed – all three. Had a strawberry patch. Had an alfalfa patch. Used to
turn the chickens out in the alfalfa on a sunny morning. My brothers’d sit out on a
fence rail an’ watch ’em – white chickens they was.’
6 ‘God damn you ... Why do you got to get killed? You ain’t so little as mice.’
7 ‘You god-damn tramp ... You done it, di’n’t you? I s’pose you’re glad. Ever’body
knowed you’d mess things up. You wasn’t no good. You ain’t no good now, you lousy
tart.’
8 ‘OK, Machine. I’ll talk to you later. I like machines.’
9 ‘You crazy bastard. You ain’t fit to lick the boots of no rabbit. You’d forget ’em and let
’em go hungry. That’s what you’d do.’
10 ‘I tol’ you, “Min’ George because he’s such a nice fella an’ good to you.” But you
don’t never take no care. You do bad things.’
11 ‘This ain’t no good place. I wanna get outa here.’
12 ‘But I’ll be on our own place, an’ I’ll be let to work on our own place.’
2007 Exam paper
1. Describe an important change that happened to ONE character or individual in
the text.
Explain why this change was important.
2. Describe an important event at (or near) the end of the text.
Explain how this event helped you understand an idea (or ideas) in the text.
3. Describe an idea (or ideas) in the text that you found interesting.
Explain why you found this idea (or ideas) interesting.
4. Describe an important character or individual in the text.
Explain why he or she was important in the text.
5. Describe at least TWO techniques used to make a character or individual in the text
interesting.
Explain why these techniques made the character or individual interesting.
Note: “Techniques” could include language, structure and / or narrative point-of-view.
6. Describe an important aspect of setting in the text.
Explain how it helped you understand a key idea (or ideas) in the text.
Note: “Setting” may refer to time and / or place.
Exemplar: Part One
It is the purpose of this essay to describe a memorable setting in the novel
“Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck and explain how it helped me
understand an idea in the text. The memorable setting in this text is the ranch
in California during the 1930s where the main protagonists, George Milton
and Lennie Small, worked during this novel. The idea that it helped me to
understand is loneliness, the dominant theme in this novel. The following
essay will discuss this setting in detail and explain how it helped me to
understand the idea of loneliness.
A memorable setting in the novel “Of Mice and Men” was the ranch where
George and Lennie worked. The ranch in California, America, was isolated
from the nearest town of Soledad, which ironically means “loneliness”. This
isolation of the ranch was exemplified when, in the first section of the text,
George became exasperated at the bus driver who dropped them off in
Soledad, saying that the ranch was “Jes’ a little stretch down the highway”
when it turned out to be a lot longer. The solitude of the ranch is confirmed
when it was the only location in the novel. The characters were described as
having gone “into town” but the plot is never set there.
Essay: Part 2
The time period in which this novel was set is also important. Although it
was not directly mentioned, the Great Depression of the 1930s was full of
hardships, financially and socially. Many men, including George and
Lennie, and most of the characters in the novel, had to travel around as
itinerant workers, trying to get enough “jack” to build the foundations for the
American dream. Because they did not stay at each ranch for a long period
of time, they could not bond with any other men because they would just
have to leave again. Therefore, people became lonely and emotionally
isolated from others.
The setting in “Of Mice and Men” of the Californian ranch in the 1930s,
helped me to understand the idea of loneliness. This idea is important is the
novel when most of the characters that Steinbeck has developed gave some
indication of the loneliness and isolation they felt. For George and Lennie,
their relationship was built on the fear of being alone. Lennie, a cumbersome
man who had the mind of a child, looked to George for guidance, and George
had Lennie for company. Their relationship was special because they had
companionship in their lives, unlike most other people at the ranch and in the
1930s.
Part 3
George often said, “We’ve got a future, we got somebody to talk to who
gives a damn about us.” They would travel around together to earn money to
own their own farm with crops and animals, and to ultimately have
independence and control over their lives. Candy, the old “swamper” at the
ranch, had companionship in his life too until one day he had to make the
decision to have his dog shot. This was a prophetic scene, given the choice
that George had to make in the climax of the novel to shoot his only friend
Lennie. After this, they realised that such paradises of freedom, contentment
and safety are not to be found in this world. The setting helped one to
understand this idea of loneliness which was equivalent to the loneliness that
the characters felt.
In conclusion, “Of Mice and Men” the setting of the ranch in California,
America, in the 1930s helped me to understand the idea of loneliness. This
theme has been woven throughout the setting, relationships and character, of
which we have seen examples. The setting in “Of Mice and Men” is an
important aspect of the text.
Why didn’t it achieve Excellence?
Next Steps
The student could
• pay more attention to the word ‘memorable’ in the
question.
Use quotation more frequently to provide more
precise evidence
• explain more clearly what he/she learnt about
loneliness – the ‘idea of loneliness’ is rather
vague
Lesson 13 Essay Planning:
Character
• Goal: To be able to
plan essays on
character, as
required in the
examination
• Starter: G/W: A & B
Complete ABCD
character profiles for
George C & D ditto
for Lennie (As grid,
list or mind-map)
• Swap ideas
Lennie Small
Appearance
Huge, describe using
animal imagery –
‘snorting like a horse’
hands like ‘bear’s
paws’
Slow moving, hulking
Behaviour
Character
Dialogue
Model Essay Plan
4. Describe an important character or
individual in the text.
Explain why he or she was important in the
text.
•
•
•
•
Step One: What are the key words in this
question?
Step Two: Planning – teacher modelling
Step Three: The introduction – HURRY!
Step four: The essay proper.
Describe Lennie and explain why
he was important
Planning options:
Mind-Map
Or List
Or Grid
The right one is the one
that’s right for you
Teacher Modelling
Listen and copy down the example of an essay
plan.
You can choose any style of planning that you like,
as long as it addresses all parts of the question.
Model introduction
Model S.E.X.Y (Or S.X.Y) paragraph.
Lesson 14: Theme Questions
•
Goal: To consolidate your understanding of the themes of the
novel, and how to plan and write essays.
Starter: How do the following quotations link to the ideas or themes of
‘Of Mice and Men’?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
‘I seen the guys that go around on the ranches all alone. That
ain’t no good. … After a while they get mean.’
‘Think I don’t like to talk to somebody once and a while?’
‘But I’ll be on our own place, an’ I’ll be let to work on our own
place.’
‘Live of the fatta the lan’
‘I think I knowed from the very start we’d never do her.’
Group Planning
Describe an idea (or ideas) in the text that you found interesting.
Explain why you found this idea (or ideas) interesting.
• Discussion – what are the key words of this question? How would
you approach it?
• Group plan: Recorder to note down group’s ideas
• Review from yesterday’s lesson: How do I introduce my essay?
• S.E.X.Y (Or S.X.Y. or P.E.A. essay time) Write the introduction and
first two paragraphs of your essay
• Group assessment – can whose essay does the best job of
addressing the question, and adds the most thoughtful and detailed
‘your analysis’
Lesson 15: Consolidating essay
planning and writing
• Goal: To be able to produce excellent
quality exam plans and essays, under
timed conditions.
• Starter: Group discussion – how does the
time the novel was set, help to reinforce
the ideas of loneliness and dreams?
Your Turn:
• Plan an answer to the following question – you have
exactly 10 minutes and are looking to provide the basis
for 4 SXY paragraphs.
Describe an important aspect of setting in the text.
Explain how it helped you understand a key idea (or
ideas) in the text.
Note: “Setting” may refer to time and / or place.
Now write the introduction and first paragraph of this essay.
Hint: You have a sample
essay on this topic: steal
some ideas from it if you need
to.
Your Turn:
•
Plan an answer to the following question – you have
exactly 10 minutes and are looking to provide the basis
for 4 S.E.X.Y (Or SXY) paragraphs.
2.
Describe an important event at (or near) the end of
the text.
Explain how this event helped you understand an
idea (or ideas) in the text.
Now write the introduction and first paragraph of this essay.
Hint: Comment on how
the ending reinforces the
two main themes of the
text.
Homework
Complete ONE A4 page of revision notes for
Of Mice and Men. You will be able to use
this in your mock examination TOMORROW.
You may include anything you wish, including
quotations and notes on how to write essays.
Lesson 16: Assessment
• Goal: To write an examination essay the best shows your
understanding of the text.
• Starter: Critical vocabulary spelling test
Achievement Criteria
Achievement
Show understanding of
specified aspect(s) of
extended written
text(s) using
supporting evidence.
Achievement with
Merit
Achievement with
Excellence
Show convincing
understanding of
specified aspect(s) of
extended written
text(s) using
supporting evidence.
Show perceptive
understanding of
specified aspect(s) of
extended written
text(s) using
supporting evidence.
Vocabulary and phrases for ‘Your
Analysis’
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Suggests
Implies
connotes
emphasises
Reinforces
Strengthens the idea of
This creates a sense of
Creates an image of
Contrasts with
Helps to characterise …
Instructions
• Choose ONE topic. Make sure you understand
both parts of the topic before you start writing.
• Complete the box at the top of page 3.
• Write ONE essay of at least 250 words for your
answer.
• Make sure you answer both parts of the topic.
Each part is equally important to help you
show understanding of the text.
• Support your points with specific details and
quotations from the text.
TOPICS (Choose ONE)
1. Describe a choice made by a character or individual in the text.
Explain how this choice brought about a change in that character
or individual.
2. Describe an important idea you learned about in the text. Explain
why this idea was worth learning about.
3. Describe an experience or event that was important to a character
or individual in the text. Explain why this experience or event was
important to that character or individual.
4. Describe an important time or place in the text. Explain why this
time or place is important in the text.
5. Describe a strong relationship between at least TWO characters
or individuals in the text. Explain how this relationship helped you
understand these characters or individuals.
6. Describe an important scene or event at (or near) the beginning
of the text. Explain how this scene or event helped you understand
an idea (or ideas) in the text.
Planning Time
I will be marking your plan.
You may use your study notes for your planning
and essay.
Your plan will generate better marked for your
essay.
10 Minutes – Go!!!!
Essay Time
• Go – you have 30 minutes – watch the clock
closely – I won’t be giving you time checks – it’s
your job to manage your time.
Achievement Criteria
Achievement
Show understanding of
specified aspect(s) of
extended written
text(s) using
supporting evidence.
Achievement with
Merit
Achievement with
Excellence
Show convincing
understanding of
specified aspect(s) of
extended written
text(s) using
supporting evidence.
Show perceptive
understanding of
specified aspect(s) of
extended written
text(s) using
supporting evidence.
Assessment Feedback WWW
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Responsive and thoughtful comments made
Perceptive and original ideas offered
A very good understanding of the text shown
Very well structured SXY paragraphs
Very good use of examples and quotations as
evidence
 Excellent links to the major themes of the text
 Detailed analysis, exploring layers of meaning
 Good use of literary and analytical language
Assessment Feedback WWW
1. Very good use of examples and quotations as
evidence
2. A very good understanding of the text shown
3. Very well structured SXY paragraphs
4. Responsive and thoughtful comments made
5. Good use of literary and analytical language
6. Excellent links to the major themes of the text
7. Perceptive and original ideas offered
8. Detailed analysis, exploring layers of meaning
Assessment Feedback EBI
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Be careful to be accurate when giving an example of an incident from the story
Use quotations as evidence
Avoid repeating phrases and vocabulary too much
Develop the ‘you analyse’ part of sxy paragraphs more by using connectives such as
‘moreover’ to expand your comments
Aim for at least three sxy paragraphs, as well as a brief intro and conclusion
Read the question carefully and do exactly what it asks of you.
Answer both parts of the question
Avoid repeating quotations or ideas
Try to make more links to the themes of the texts
Strive to be perceptive – show that you understand how effective the writer’s
techniques and ideas are
Avoid lengthy summary of the story
Manage your time more carefully.
Make sure your choice of quotation suits the point you’re making
Answer the question, rather than just writing down everything you know about a
character
Respond to the exact demands of the question – if it asks for ‘a’ challenge, write about
one
Explain your ideas fully
Be sure to briefly explain what is happening in a quotation
Make sure you are clear in answering the first part of the question
Revise SXY paragraph structure and use it consistently
Which of these comments apply
Use a formal style when writing essays
to your essay? Pick three.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
Make sure your choice of quotation suits the point you’re making
Answer the question, rather than just writing down everything you know
about a character
Respond to the exact demands of the question – if it asks for ‘a’
challenge, write about one
Explain your ideas fully
Be sure to briefly explain what is happening in a quotation
Make sure you are clear in answering the first part of the question
Revise SXY paragraph structure and use it consistently
Use a formal style when writing essays
Be careful to be accurate when giving an example of an incident from the
story
Use quotations as evidence
Avoid repeating phrases and vocabulary too much
Develop the ‘you analyse’ part of sxy paragraphs more by using
connectives such as ‘moreover’ to expand your comments
Aim for at least three sxy paragraphs, as well as a brief intro and
conclusion
Read the question carefully and do exactly what it asks of you.
Answer both parts of the question
Avoid repeating quotations or ideas
Try to make more links to the themes of the texts
Strive to be perceptive – show that you understand how effective the
writer’s techniques and ideas are
Avoid lengthy summary of the story
Manage your time more carefully.